EUROPEAN INTEGRATION MINISTER MEETS EU TROIKA

ZAGREB, Mar 3 (Hina) - The Croatian government intends to fulfil conditions necessary for Croatia's drawing closer to the European Union, Croatia's European Integration Minister Ivan Jakovcic said on Friday following a meeting with representatives of the EU Troika. The EU delegation included Portugal's Ambassador to Croatia, Ana Barata, France's Ambassador Albert Turot, and European Commission's Special Envoy to Croatia, Per Vinther. "Today's meeting, which confirmed Croatia's aspirations to join European integration processes, was also part of preparations for a visit by an EU evaluation mission next week," Jakovcic said. Barata said today's visit by the EU delegation was a sign of EU's support for the new political direction in Croatia. She said the delegation also wished to offer congratulations on the Government's decision to meet all requirements necessary for the EU-Croatia rapprochement. The delegation was also satisfied with the statements of Prime Minister Ivica Racan, who made it clear on several occasions that he wanted the Croatian government to be judged by its actions and not words, Barata said. Asked about concrete measures of support for Croatia, EC's Vinther said it would be possible to start implementing the first assistance programmes in a very short period of time after the visit of the EU evaluation mission next week. (hina) mm rml